>>Push Continues for Lawmakers to Take Action to Keep HCMC Open
(St. Paul, MN) — Healthcare workers and community advocates are warning Minnesota lawmakers that time is running out to save Hennepin County Medical Center. Frontline staff are calling for immediate action this legislative session to protect HCMC, the state’s busiest Level One trauma center. They warn that without intervention, the safety-net hospital could be forced to close, cutting off critical care for uninsured and underinsured patients across Minnesota. County leaders say HCMC is facing a two-hundred-million-dollar budget shortfall. In response, HCMC has already closed 100 beds, laid off workers, and eliminated several programs. But officials caution that those steps alone will not be enough to prevent closure without state support.
>>Planned Parenthood Launches New Records System
(St. Paul, MN) — Planned Parenthood North Central States is rolling out a new Electronic Health Record system today(Wed). The upgrade includes MyChart, a new patient portal designed to improve access and streamline care. Through MyChart, patients can message providers, request medication refills, view test results, manage appointments, early check-in, and pay bills online. The system aims to make high-quality, affordable care more accessible and convenient for patients.
>>Pine City Man Accused of Failing to Pay Taxes on Unlicensed Cannabis Business
(Pine City, MN) – A man from Pine City is charged with growing and selling cannabis without a license and failing to pay 1.9 million dollars in taxes. The Minnesota Department of Revenue says Alan Mosio was arrested in January for operating an unlicensed retail cannabis business. Revenue investigators reviewed Mosio’s tax filings and determined he did not file a sales and use tax return to report receipts, nor did he pay the necessary sales tax for product sales.
>>March Weather Re-Cap
(Undated) — March in Minnesota featured above‑normal temperatures, even though we still saw some below‑zero cold along the way. Pete Boulay with the State Climatology Office says the month also included a few significant winter storms. “We had a pretty good clipper on the 12th and 13th that brought snow to the north and very strong winds across central and southern Minnesota. Then the big storm came on the 14th and 15th, especially in southeast Minnesota. Wabasha County had 18 inches or more in some places, and Kellogg picked up around 25 inches.” Boulay says despite the late‑season snow, March also brought several warm spells, with high temperatures climbing into the 70s and even the 80s.
>>Gas Prices Increase 10 Cents a Gallon in Minnesota
(St. Louis Park, MN) — Gas prices are up slightly today in the state. Triple-A Minnesota reports the statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.51. That’s a ten-cent increase from yesterday. Minnesota drivers were paying $2.78 at the pump one month ago. The national average is up to $4.06 per gallon. The war in Iran is disrupting the oil supply
and pushing up gas prices.
>>Twins and Royal Play Game 2 in Kansas City
(Kansas City, MO) — The Twins and Royals resume their three-game series tonight (Wed 6:40pm) at Kaufmann Stadium. Kansas City beat Minnesota 3-1 on Monday in its home opener. The teams had Tuesday off. Twins’ right-hander Joe Ryan gets the start tonight. Ryan pitched five-and-a-third scoreless innings on Opening Day in Baltimore. Minnesota’s home opener is Friday against Tampa Bay.
